CJ McCollum spearheads fourth-quarter comeback as Hawks surprise Knicks to level series.
NEW YORK — CJ McCollum recorded 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks mounted a comeback to defeat the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, leveling their first-round playoff series at one game each.
McCollum spearheaded a late-game push that nearly fell short when he missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds left. The Knicks hurried the ball up the court without any timeouts remaining, but Mikal Bridges’ jumper failed to connect as time expired.
The Hawks had been behind throughout the entire second half and trailed by 12 points after three quarters. Atlanta gradually closed the gap, and a basket by McCollum gave the Hawks a 101-100 advantage — their first lead of the series in the second half — with 2:09 remaining. He followed up with another shot to extend the lead to three points, and after Jalen Brunson equalized with a 3-pointer, McCollum responded with another jumper to put the score at 105-103 with 33 seconds left.
Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points off the bench, while Jalen Johnson added 17, including a basket with 10 seconds remaining that secured a four-point lead for the No. 6 seeds, who will host Game 3 on Thursday.
Brunson scored 29 points for the Knicks, and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18.
The Knicks are aiming to advance to the second round for a fourth consecutive season, marking their longest streak since the 1991-92 to 1999-2000 seasons, and appeared to be on track to do so.
Towns, who managed only four points in the first half, exploded for 14 points in the third quarter as the Knicks increased their lead to 78-64. They maintained an eight-point advantage with under five minutes to go.
However, the young players who ignited the Hawks’ resurgence after the All-Star break made crucial plays before McCollum — who remained unfazed by the taunts following a confrontation with Jose Alvarado that resulted in technical fouls for both in the third quarter — ultimately sealed the victory.
McCollum was acquired in the January trade involving Trae Young, the Hawks star who had previously been a playoff adversary at Madison Square Garden. He fulfilled that role effectively on Monday, outshining Brunson in the second half and securing a game that seemed out of reach.
Josh Hart recorded 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists for the Knicks.
